The Community Grocer (TCG), a nonprofit food justice organization launched last year by two University of Pennsylvania alumni, broke ground on first store yesterday, which is located in Cobbs Creek.

The organization, co-founded by Alexandre Imbot and Eli Moraru, purchased a corner storefront at 60th St. and Walton Ave. about nine months ago, according to The Daily Pennsylvanian, with a goal to transform it into a new-concept grocery corner store that will serve the local community.

City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) participated in the groundbreaking.

“Today we broke ground on The Community Grocer’s store in Cobbs Creek!” she later posted on her Twitter (X) page. “Cobbs Creek is a food desert, meaning residents struggle to access nutritious meals. I’m grateful to TCG for combatting food insecurity by providing affordable, healthy, culturally relevant, and delicious food.”

The store, which is expected to open next summer, will include a section where customers can buy pre-prepared meal kits and a fully-equipped commercial kitchen where they can get help with preparing meals out of the purchased ingredients. The store will also have a more traditional grocery/supermarket section. All products at the store can be purchased with a SNAP EBT card.

“TCG aims to combat food deserts, food swamps, and food apartheid, all while providing access to meals that are delicious, healthy, and empowering,” Moraru told the DP. Read the full article here. Also, visit the TCG website for more information.

(Photos courtesy of the Councilmember Gauthier Office)

From left: Alexandre Imbot, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier and Eli Moraru.